Thursday, May 16, 2013

BlogPaws and Mother Hens

My week has been consumed by the arrival of something totally different than I've ever had before--baby chicks, can you believe it? As a favor to someone from out of town who is attending the nearby BlogPaws conference this weekend, I agreed to accept a shipment of 5 chicks for her. The chicks arrived via the US mail on the coldest day of the week. And I don't know about you, but when I find myself caring for something that I've not had before, I find it very, very nerve-wracking! When I said I would keep the chicks I had no idea everything that I would need to care for them. Thankfully a vet-tech at the office where I take the dogs loaned me everything I needed and she even gave me chick-crumbles for them to eat. The doctor I work for allowed me to keep them at the office, and the girls at work and I enjoyed being Mother-Hens to our chicks, and yes they were given names.

But because the office is cleaned by someone who sometimes brings his children, I brought them home for a night to keep them safe. The dogs all loved them, and Charlie couldn't take his eyes off of them as they stayed under the warming light on top of our dryer.

But all good things have to come to an end and this afternoon they were given to their owner "Flea" for her display at BlogPaws. So if you are attending the conference and pass by the booth for Jones Natural Chews, stop and admire the 5 chicks there, I've no doubt that you'll be as taken by them as my co-workers and I were. The whole experience has convinced me that I need to get chicks of our very own.

But given that Todd has a feather in his mouth, I wonder if he's telling me what he thinks about that?

My husband has always had ideas of getting chickens, but then he remembers the foxes that live on our property and thinks again. I'm also not sure I could eat or give away enough eggs to justify having any.

I think Chloe would have a nervous breakdown if she saw those in our house!! She is pretty obsessed with birds and will spend hours and hours watching them out the window!! How nice of you to watch them for your friend!! Happy Weekend!!

We grew up with backyard chickens, ducks, geese etc. When I was young we LOVED the brand new babies.... but I gotta say..... chicks don't stay chicks for long.... such a shame because I could never cuddle up to an adult chicken.

love the picture of charlie enraptured by the baby peepers!and todd with the feather...LOLOLOLand you with yet something else to care for ...only you can know how that would turn out. maybe you'd have to sit down first though and have a serious talk with todd and charlie.i'm thinkin' they're thinkin' "oh goody! kentucky fried chicken!"LOLOL

I loved having/raising chickens, If I could take care of them I would have a bunch of them. There is nothing quite like having a hen bring you a baby and wanting you to oh and ah over it. You are the alpha dog and could teach the dogs that they are family too. I'm glad you enjoyed their visit.

We all chase birds, except Sebastian. The birds that visit us can fly away but chicks aren't so good at flying. We also like chicken on our dinner so Mom thinks chicks are a bad idea at our house.Morgan, Sebastian, the Porties, Syd and Mac

Again, thank you SO MUCH!!! The babies are absolutely adorable. They were a huge hit at BlogPaws! And I do snuggle up to my hens at times. Well, they jump in my lap when I have food and let me scratch their chests.www.dogtreatweb.com

A Little About Me...

In 2007 my dream of living in the country and sharing it with senior Golden Retrievers came true when we moved to a small town in Northern Virginia into a home that would become 'Golden Pines.' Our lives are now filled with more rescued Goldens and Labs than I'll admit to, a Wheaten Terrier, a lively little Scottie named Todd, and one very tolerant cat and one that's not tolerant at all. This blog chronicles snippets of a life that has truly 'gone to the dogs!'